Infant&#39;s feeding table



March 11, 1952 s. B. NOVI INFANTS FEEDING TABLE 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 FiledNov. 15, 1948 INVENTOR. JAN 5. Now

wawfi-i/ A T TOR/VEY ullh Mag y March 11, 1952 s. B. NOVI INFANTSFEEDING TABLE 2 VSHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Nov. 15, 1948 INVENTOR. JA M .B.No V/ A 7' TO I? IV E Y Patented Mar. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT IOFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful immovements in infants feedingtables.

A principal object of this invention is the provision of a chair andtable so constructed and proportioned that the chair may be placed andsupported within a well or hole in the top of the table and used as afeeding chair for an infant, the top of the table functioning as anapron on which dishes and toys may be placed and which collects foodparticles which fall during the infants feeding.

Another principal object of the invention is the provision of aspecially designed table having a sliding or otherwise extensible panelwhich may be extended to leave a hole or well in the table top and whichmay be retracted to restore the table top to usage in the manner ofordinary tables, with a lock to secure the panel in various positions ofadjustment.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a childs chairhaving projecting portions on two or more sides thereof extending beyondthe dimensions of the hereinbefore mentioned well in the table top,which projecting portions serve to suspend the chair within the well.

Another object of the invention is the provision of separating blocks onthe underside of the extending chair portions to prevent accidentallypinching the infants fingers between the arms and the table top.

Still another object of the invention is the use of a footrest inconjunction with the chair consisting of a cross piece attached to apair of long levers which are pivoted adjacent the lower rear corners ofthe sides of the chair so as to afford considerable adjustability of thefootrest, with the further provision of means for holding the footrestin a plurality of different positions of adjustment.

Another object of the invention is the location of a hinge in thesliding top panel so that the portion extending outside the edges of thetable top may fold downwardly and thus not project and constitute ahazard to those passing by.

A further object of the invention is the provision of detachable legs ofunique construction and means for securing such legs when detached tothe underside of the table for convenient transportation and storage.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of novel meansfor attaching the side rails of the table together, and the attachmentof the detachable legs to the table.

With the above and other objects and. advantagesin view, the inventionconsists in the matters hereinafter set forth and more particularlypointed out in the appended claims, reference 2 being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view showing a chair installed in the table so asto constitute a feeding chair;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section;

Fig. 3 is an isometric of a chair with the footrest in position for use;

Fig. 4 is an isometric of a chair with the footrest folded back;

Fig. 5 is an isometric of the table;

Fig. 6 is a section along the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is an isometric of a corner of the table as viewed from theunderside thereof and showing a table leg withdrawn from its socket;

Fig. 8 is a section along the line 88 of Fig. 7 with the table leg inplace in its socket;

Fig. 9 is an isometric of a portion of a table leg; and

Fig. 10 is a plan of a table as viewed from the underside thereof withthe legs detached and secured for transportation or storage.

The present invention contemplates the use of a specially constructedtable 20 having a sliding top panel 2|, which, when extended, creates awell in the top of the table into which a chair 22 may be inserted andwhich when retracted allows for normal use as a table. The seat whenremoved from the table is, of itself, a useful childs chair. The chairand table assembled together function as a feeding table, the childbeing seated in the chair and surrounded by the table top so thatdishes, toys and other articles may be placed on the table convenientlyat hand. For convenience of description, the chair, table and chair andtable assembled will be separately described.

The chair The chair herein described is simply and inexpensivelyconstructed, is comfortable and is ideally suited for the needs of smallchildren. However, it should be understood that the details ofconstruction of the chair described herein may be modified withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention insofar as other types ofchairs and seat arrangements might be installed in the well of thetable. The primary features of the chair are that it be of such size andshape as to fit within the well left in the top of the table uponextension of the sliding panel 2|, that a portion of the chair extendoutwardly so as to rest upon the table top and thereby suspend the chairwithin the well in proper position and that the chair be useable whendisassociated from the table. In the chair illustrated herein, portionsof each of the arms 23 of the chair project laterally outward so as tooverhang the sides 24 with the result that when the chair is loweredinto the table well,

the lower surfaces of the arms 23 rest upon the table top and the chairis properly supported within the well and prevented from passing onthrough.

The chair consists essentially of pair of substantially verticallydisposed sides 24, a seat 28 and a back 2'1. Each of the sides has twointegral legs 28 and 29 at the front and back, respectively, upon whichthe chair may rest upon the floor when not installed in the table. Theseat '26 is disposed inclined slightly downwardly from the horizontaland its forward edge 3! is curved so that a childs legs may danglewithout discomfort. The back rest 21 is disposed at an obtuse angle withrespect to the seat 26, the angular relationship shown in the drawingshaving been found to be the most comfortable, namely the back inclinedrearwardly at an angle of approximately 80 to the horizontal. The seat26 and back 2! are attached to the sides 24 by insertion of the edgesthereof. into properly positioned grooves cut in the adjoining surfacesof the sides 24 and held therein by glue, nails, screws or similarmeans. At the top of each side portion is a substantially horizontal armrest 23, a portion of which projects laterally outwardly so as tooverhang the sides 24 for the purpose of supporting the chair in thetable well. In order to overcome the danger of an infants fingers beingpinched between the lower surface of the arm rest and the top of thetable, small blocks 32 may be attached to the underside of the arm rests23 so as to elevate the arms above the table surface a distance slightlygreater than the thickness of an infants fingers.

The top forward edges of the sides are curved rearwardly in the regionsindicated by reference numeral 33 and the forward edge 34 of the armrests overhangs the sides. When the chair is positioned inside the tableand the sliding panel 2| is pushed inwardly to the position shown inFig. 5, the chair is prevented from rocking or other movement becausethe sliding panel 21 is clamped between the arms 23 and the curved edges33.

The chair may also be provided with an adjustable footrest 36 which maybe positioned to support the infants feet and subsequently adjusted asthe infant grows. As shown in the drawings, the footrest consists of across-piece 31 the upper surface of which is tilted outwardly upward soas to support the soles of the infants shoes or feet at the mostcomfortable angle. A pair of levers 38 are affixed to the underside ofthe crosspiece 31 adjacent opposite ends thereof, said levers beingpivotally connected by screws 39 to the sides at about the location ofthe rear legs 29. The long leverage between pivots 39 and crosspiece 3'!permits of maximum adjustability of the height of the footrest. A strap4! is affixed to the bottom of the seat 26 near the center of theforward edge thereof. The strap is provided with a plurality of spacedholes 32 into which a stud 43 affixed to the underside of cross-piece 31may be inserted. Thus the position of the cross-piece may be adjusted byselection of the holes 42 into which stud 43 may be inserted.

The footrest 36 may, if desired, be swung out of the way. The pivots 33for the levers 38 are located sufiiciently rearwardly so that thefootrest may be swung down and around to lie against the rear of theback rest 21 as shown in Fig. 4. In such position it is out of the way,yet it may be conveniently restored to normal position with a minimum oftime and effort.

The table The table 20 herein described is of such height and shape asto be conveniently accessible to an adult feeding the infant, occupy aminimum amount of floor space, and be useful in and of itself as anoccasional table. For such purpose it has been found that the table topshould be approximately 25 inches from the floor, as this height permitsfeeding of the child without having to bend or stoop. It has also beenfound that a table having a width and length of 24 inches is of the mostconvenient size. It will be observed that if these dimensions are used,the legs of the table will not fold in the manner of a conventionalfolding table unless telescopic legs are used. In the embodimentillustrated in the drawings, detachable legs 44 are used so as to permitconvenient transportation of the table with a minimum of space occupiedand at the same time preserving the optimum dimensions. In the eventthat it is desired to use conventional folding table legs, either theheight of the table may be reduced or the dimensions of the top surfaceincreased.

One of the salient features of the table is the central sliding toppanel 2| disposed to slide between the fixed top panels 45 and 41 ateither side thereof. The panels 46 and 4'! are rigidly mounted in siderails 48 which constitute a rectangular frame for the table. One of theside rails 59 is provided with a, horizontal slot 5! through whichprojects one end of the central sliding panel 2 i. The panel has tongues52 along two edges which fit within grooves or guideways 53 in theadjoining edges of panels 46 and 41 (see Fig. 6) and thus the centralpanel 2| may project and retract freely. It will be observed that, asshown in Fig. 5, when the panel is in extreme inward position, theleading edge 56 of the central panel extends outwardly slightly beyondthe side rail 49 and the projecting portion constitutes a convenienthandle which may be grasped to pull out the panel. So that theprojecting panel when extended does not constitute an obstacle in thatpersons moving in the vicinity of the table bump against it and so thatthe table does not occupy too much space, the sliding panel is hingedapproximately one-third of the distance inward from the leading edge 54by hinges 56 and thus when it is withdrawn one-third of its len th ormore the forewardmost portion of the panel hangs downwardly and is notin the way, all as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

To clamp the sliding panel in any desired position, there is provided ascrew 5'! threaded into the side rail 49 with its inner end bearingagainst the underside of the panel 2!. The opposite end of the screw isprovided with a winged head 58 so that by twisting the head the screwmay be tightend against and clamp the panel in the selected position. Itwill be understood, that other means may be employed to hold the panelin place so that it cannot I accidentally be moved or so that the infantooin Figs. '1 and 10. The adjoining edges meet in a mitre joint, but toassist in securing a firm juncture, a projecting tenon 6! extendingparallel to the side rail is formed in one side rail as a projection ofthe inner edge thereof and .a corresponding mortise 62 is formed in theadjacent side rail. The tenon 6| projecting within the mortise 62insures a secure joint and it is generally unnecessary to use nails tohold the side rails in proper 90 angular relationship to each other.

The edges of panels 46 and 41 fit into grooves 63 cut into the siderails so that they are held securely in place.

As has been stated, detachable legs '44 are shown in the preferredembodiment illustrated in the drawings. In order to hold such legs inposition and also to assist in securing the side rails 48 and 49 and toppanels 46 and 41 in proper position, corner braces 64 are placed in eachcorner where the side rails join and such braces are glued both to theside rails and to the top panels. The shape of the cross-section of thebraces is approximately that of an equilateral right triangle and thecorner at the right angle is cut out at 66 to receive the ends of thelegs in the sockets 6'1 formed between the notched out portion 66 of thebrace and the inside edges of the side rails. By fitting the legs withinthe sockets, the side rails need not be cut away at the corners wheretable legs are ordinarily located and thus the strength of the table isincreased. At the same time the exterior surfaces of the side rails aresmooth and continuous, a feature of importance both from the standpointof appearance and in preventing food being lodged in the crevices at thejoints. The ends of the legs may be reduced in thickness as at 63 inFigs. '7 and 9 so as to provide a shoulder 69 which abuts against thebrace 64 and assists in holding the legs perpendicular to the table. Tosecure the legs in place a threaded screw is fixed in one of the cornersof each leg a short distance from the end thereof, which screw extendsdiagonally and perpendicular to the length of the leg. Each screw isprovided with a washer l2 and a wing nut 13. A'slot I4 is out part wayinto the brace 64 to receive the screw, said slot extending from theinterior corner of the cut out portion 6! outward toward the hypotenuseTI. The slot extends only part way into the brace so that when the screwreaches the bottom of the slot the shoulder 69 abuts the surface 16 ofthe brace 64 and the end of the leg abuts the underside of the tabletop. By tightening the wing nut l3, the washer I2 bears against surface11 of brace 64 and the leg 44 is pulled against the brace and heldfirmly in position. It will be observed that tightening of nut 13 has notendency to force the side rails 48 apart as is common in other tableconstructions.

When it is desired to collapse the table for transportation or storage,the wing nuts 13 are loosened and the legs 44 withdrawn from theirsockets 67. During transportation or storage the legs may be held .flatagainst the underside of the table so that they extend confined withinthe side rails 48 and at an angle with respect thereto. They may be heldin place by elastic bands l8 fixed to the table top at one end by apermanent fastening 19 and held to the table top at the other end bymeans of a hook and eye connection, snap fasteners, etc., 8 I, all asillustrated in Fig. 10.

Chair and table assembled As has already'been pointed out, both thechair 22 and table 20 separately are useful articles of furniture. Oneof the .most important features of the present invention is the factthat the chair and table may be assembled together to make a feedingchair for an infant with a wide apron on which to place plates, toys andother objects and to catch food dropped during the infants feeding. i.

In order to accomplish such assembly, after the legs have been attachedto the table as has been described, the lock screw 51 is loosened,permitting the sliding panel 2| to be withdrawn to the position shown indotted lines in Fig. 2. Such withdrawal of the sliding .panel 2! leavesa hole or well in the table top of sufficient size to permit the chair22 to be lowered therein. Since the arms 23 project laterally beyond theplanes of the sides and since the width of the sliding panel isapproximately the distance between the outer surfaces of the sides, thelower surface of the arms 23 rest upon the table top. As has beenindicated, the blocks 32 elevate the arms slightly above the table topso as to prevent pinching the infants fingers. This feature is ofparticular importance if the infant has been placed in the chair beforethe chair has been lowered into the table well. Either before or afterthe chair is in place, the infant may be seated therein, and the slidingpanel 2! pushed back until it contacts either the infants body or theforward edges 33 of the sides, as indicated in Fig. 2. The lock 57 is.then tightened to prevent movement of the panel 2|. With the panellocked in position, the chair cannot be moved with respect to the tableand it is firmly secured in place. Likewise the infant is prevented fromgetting out of the chair because here is insufficient distance betweenthe edge of the panel 2i and the back rest 21 to permit the infant toraise himself out of the chair or to slide downwardly and under thetable. Thus it is unnecessary to use straps or harnesses commonly usedin connection with high-chairs to secure the infant inasmuch as once theinfant has been seated and the sliding panel locked in inward positionthere is no danger of the infant falling out of the chair.

The height of the table is such that the infant may be spoon fedconveniently by an adult and if the adult is seated in an ordinary chairit is unnecessary to bend or stoop in order to feed the infant. At thesame time, the center of gravity is low enough so that there is nodanger of the infant tipping the chair and table over by boisterousmovement.

It will be understood that this invention has been described withreference to illustrating an example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding and certain changes in assembly and structure may bepracticed within the spirit of the in a projecting portion engageablewith a portion .7 of said table to suspend said chair within saidaperture.

2. An article of furniture for feeding infants comprising incombination, a table, said table having a plurality of panels in itstopsurface,

a first panel slidable with respect to a second panel to provide anaperture in said top surface, said first panel consisting of twoportions hinged together and adapted to permit a portion of said firstpanel to hang vertically upon projection of said first panel to providesaid aperture, said first panel when retracted completely closing thetop of said table, and a chair, said chair being dimensioned to fitwithin the aperture of said table top and having a projecting portionengageable with a portion of said table to suspend said chair withinsaid aperture.

3. An article of furniture for feeding infants comprising incombination, a table, the top surface of said table including a firstpanel interposed between and slidable with respect to a second and athird panel to provide an aperture in said top surface between saidsecond and third panels, and a chair, said chair having substantiallyparallel, vertical sides dimensioned to fit within the aperture of saidtable top and having laterally extending arms above said sides to reston top of said second and third panels and suspend said chair withinsaid aperture, said chair having supporting means dimensioned so thatwhen resting on the floor said chair is positioned for normal seating ofan infant, said Supporting means constituting integral, substantiallyco-planar extensions of said vertical sides.

4. An article of furniture for feeding infants said chair within saidaperture, and spacing means to elevate said arms above said second andthird panels.

5. An article of furniture for feeding infants comprising incombination, a table, the top surface of said table including a firstpanel interposed between and slidable with respect to a second panel anda third panel to provide an aperture in said top surface between saidsecond and third panels, and a chair, said chair including a pair ofopposed, substantially vertical sides, edges of said sides being curvedinwardly, said chair being dimensioned to fit within the aperture ofsaid table top and having laterally extending arms attached to saidsides immediately above the inwardly curved portions thereof to restupon said second and third panels and suspend said chair within saidaperture, said first panel being slidable inwardly to extend under saidarms and engage the curved portions of said sides to restrain movementof said chair within said aperture.

6. An article of furniture for feeding infants comprising incombination, a table, the top surface of said table including a firstpanel interposed between and slidable with respect to a second panel anda third panel to provide an aperture in said top surface between saidsecond and third panels, and a chair, said chair including a pair ofopposed, substantially vertical sides,

edges of said sides being curved inwardly, said chair being dimensionedto fit within the aperture of said table top and having laterallyextending arms attached to said sides immediately above the inwardlycurvedportions thereof to rest upon said second and third panels andsuspend said chair Within said aperture, said first panel being slidableinwardly to extend under said arms and engage the curved portions ofsaid sides to restrain movement of said chair within said aperture,means for adjustably restraining said first panel in a plurality ofpositions, and an adjustable footrest on said chair adjustable in aplurality of positions and cooperable with said first panel to restrainan infant from falling from said chair.

'7. An article of furniture for feeding infants comprising incombination, a table, the top surface of said table including a firstpanel interposed between and slidable with respect to a. second paneland a third panel to provide an aperture in said top surface betweensaid second and third panels, a lock to restrain movement of said firstpanel, said first panel consisting of two portions hinged together andadapted to permit a portion of said first panel to hang vertically uponprojection of said first panel to provide said aperture, and a chair,said chair being dimensioned to fit within the aperture of said tableand including a pair of opposed, substantially vertical sides, edges ofsaid sides being curved inwardly, said chair having laterally extendingarms attached to said sides immediately above said inwardly curved edgesto rest upon said second and third panels and suspend said chair withinsaid aperture, said first panel being slidable inwardly to extend undersaid arms and engage the curved portions of said sides to restrainupward and rocking movement of said chair within said aperture, andspacing means underneath said arms to elevate said arms above saidsecond and third panels.

8. An article of furniture for feeding infants comprising incombination, a table, said table having a plurality of panels in its topsurface, including a first panel slidable with respect to a second panelto provide an aperture in said top surface, said panels when in closedposition completely closing the top surface of said table, and a chair,said chair being dimensioned to fit within the aperture of said tabletop and having a projecting portion engageable with a portion of saidtable to suspend said chair within said aperture, said chair includingsupporting means arranged to support said chair upright when positionedon the floor.

SAM B. NOVI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references-are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 602,574 Dalton Apr. 19, 18981,210,223 Silbert Dec. 26, 1916 1,573,665 Wigginton Feb. 16, 19261,816,247 Blickman July 28, 1931 2,161,657 Hansburg June 6, 19392,397,528 Brandwen Apr. 2, 1946 2,454,118 Athey Nov. 16, 1%8 2,461,715Biggerstafi Feb. 15, 19 19 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 552,473Germany May 26, 1932

